PD and oral health

[mschild <mmoo@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Repercussions of Parkinson=E2=80=99s Disease in Oral Health=20
An estimated 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson=E2=80=99s Diseas=
e each=20
year. It generally affects people in their middle to late years. It is a ki=
nd=20
of disorder that causes uncontrollable muscle movements, tremors, muscle=20
rigidity and may even lead to severe memory loss. The patient=E2=80=99s spe=
ech and=20
motors skills can also suffer.
Parkinson=E2=80=99s Disease is a degenerative disorder that affects the bod=
y=E2=80=99s nervous=20
system which in turn is responsible for the relay of communication between =
the=20
brain and the muscles. A disruption occurs in the nervous system that grave=
ly=20
affects reactions and movements of the muscles leading to such abnormalitie=
s as=20
tremors and rigidity.
The disease usually starts to show symptoms with just a few individual musc=
le=20
tremors. Sometimes it can manifest itself due to lack of muscle controls th=
at=20
are gradually visible to other people. This can be lack of facial expressio=
ns,=20
mumbling sounds while talking, and even the non-movement of the arms while=
=20
walking. These are simple symptoms that may usually mean the starting=20
occurrence of Parkinson=E2=80=99s Disease.
A patient suffering from this disease may likewise suffer from very poor de=
ntal=20
hygiene. While it is true that most people who have Parkinson=E2=80=99s Dis=
ease are=20
already old and therefore no longer requires a set of perfect teeth, the fa=
ct=20
remains that oral health is an important factor on the overall health=20
condition of an individual. Therefore it is of high importance that people=
=20
suffering from this disease still get the right amount of dental hygiene.
Because of the weakness of the muscles, a patient may not be able to brush =
his=20
own teeth. As such, he may require the assistance of another person prefera=
bly=20
from a well-trained professional like a caregiver. An expert assistance is=
=20
necessary to make sure that the patient gets the best dental hygiene even f=
or=20
his condition. This may mean brushing the patient=E2=80=99s teeth, flossing=
 them and=20
administering any required medicines.
Another important point to consider is that some Parkinson=E2=80=99s Diseas=
e patients=20
are prescribed to take drugs that can cause xerostomia. Xerostomia is more=
=20
commonly called dry mouth. The saliva is an important component of a good o=
ral=20
hygiene as it helps clean the mouth by fighting off bacteria. Now, a person=
 who=20
suffers from xerostomia has higher risk of developing tooth decay, halitosi=
s=20
and other periodontal diseases and disorders. If you have constant dry mout=
h,=20
your dentist can prescribe you with a medicine that can stimulate the=20
production of more saliva as well as prescribing you with fluoride treatmen=
ts=20
to help battle tooth decay.
Also, due to the fact that Parkinson=E2=80=99s Disease patients may suffer =
from=20
tremors, muscle rigidity and weakness, as well as feel agitated, it will be=
=20
harder to keep him still in the dentist=E2=80=99s chair. This is very impor=
tant=20
because it makes it harder for the dentist to conduct the necessary dental=
=20
procedures. Some form of equipment and contraptions may be used to keep the=
=20
patient still. For much worse situations, the dentist may require to sedate=
=20
his patient to avoid any unnecessary movements during the treatment.

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